Trout Management Types

[Buzz]

Never really thought about it before now, but with equal time spent on all I must say that I have had more consistent action, and the most enjoyable times in White Ribbon areas, by far.

I have to agree with fishinwrench. I've had many memorable hours and some very nice fish come from my local White Ribbon fishing spots. It's a great place to blow a couple of quick hours or spend that time teaching someone how to catch trout on a fly rod.

Trout parks and Taney may have bigger fish overall, but sometimes you don't have the time or the funds for a full day trip.

[ozark trout fisher]

I have to agree with fishinwrench. I've had many memorable hours and some very nice fish come from my local White Ribbon fishing spots. It's a great place to blow a couple of quick hours or spend that time teaching someone how to catch trout on a fly rod.

Trout parks and Taney may have bigger fish overall, but sometimes you don't have the time or the funds for a full day trip.

The more and more replies I hear, It seem that it is really a matter of preference, no designation is really the "Best". Very interesting to hear. It also really depends on the individual stream.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, I don't pay any attention to the regs because I don't keep any trout and only use flies anyway, so I kinda forgot that the some of the rivers are red or white ribbon areas. So my revised answer would be any natural stream, no trout parks, no pay to fish places, no tailwaters, no lakes. Although don't get me wrong, I've fished pay to fish areas, fished the trout parks in the winter, and fished tailwaters, and enjoyed myself. But I was fishing with others more for socializing than for the fishing. I think the true test of what I prefer is where I go when I'm going by myself...and I've NEVER trout fished by myself anywhere but in the natural streams.

[fishinwrench]

I certainly don't sell the trout parks short, I love them. The parks are the best place on earth to hone your skills, or "spar" with fish.

Every technique I use that catches fish elsewhere for me, I originally learned in the parks. (I started to say "perfected" but I'm not quite there yet).

Your line (or indicator, if that's your thing) reacts the same to a bite in the trout park as it does in Patagonia, and interpreting strikes is a MAJOR key to success everywhere. I wouldn't be half as good as I now am if it weren't for the thousands of bites I've had in the parks.

You also get to watch fish react to all sorts of things in the parks...you get to see the "types" of places that they prefer to hold, or hide in. That is something you don't get many oppurtunitys to do when fishing for "wilder" fish. They act the same way in the wild, only difference is you can't always wade in amongst them without disturbing their behavior.

I don't get very proud of myself for hooking 30-40 fish a day in a trout park, but I definately get better (at casting, mending, interpreting strikes, setting the hook, and fighting/landing fish) each time I do it, and that pays off bigtime when I fish areas with fewer and spookier fish. The parks are a good place to test or tweek new flys and play with presentations also, if those sore-mouthed, often leader-shy hatchery fish will eat it you can bet your dog the wilder fish in more remote areas will eat it too. At least that's been my experience.

[Greg]

I chose Taneycomo first. Partially because it is closest to me (45 min) but I think I would pick it 1st regardless. I just really like tailwaters. A lot of that has to do with the abundance of fish but I also like the very real chances of catching a 20" plus trout on any given trip.

Some run down the trout parks. But I like them. No I don't like the crowds but if you are familiar with each park that can be kept to a tolerable level with a little effort.

I do also enjoy the wild areas and the red and white ribbon areas too but I don't get to them as often as I would like due to the distance and time factor.

Greg

[ozark trout fisher]

I chose Taneycomo first. Partially because it is closest to me (45 min) but I think I would pick it 1st regardless. I just really like tailwaters. A lot of that has to do with the abundance of fish but I also like the very real chances of catching a 20" plus trout on any given trip.

Some run down the trout parks. But I like them. No I don't like the crowds but if you are familiar with each park that can be kept to a tolerable level with a little effort.

I do also enjoy the wild areas and the red and white ribbon areas too but I don't get to them as often as I would like due to the distance and time factor.

Greg

I agree that trout parks can be a lot of fun. If you go during the week. They are almost certainly the surest best bet if you want to be sure to catch some trout. At least for others. I personally find a way to get skunked just about everywhere I go trout fishing here in Missouri.